reopening

West Maui Reopens to Tourists Two Months After Devastating Wildfires

Tourists were officially welcomed back to West Maui on Sunday, two months after wildfires displaced thousands of residents, killed 98 people, and destroyed hundreds of buildings. Historic Lahaina Town remains unrecognizable, with cleanup of debris just beginning.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced on Sept. 8 that unaffected areas north of the fire would reopen to travelers to help the region recover economically. To kick off the reopening, five hotels and eight timeshare condos in West Maui began accepting guests, covering 3 miles of the northwestern coast.

The island’s reopening has been met with mixed reactions. Some residents worry it’s too soon, fearing the government will prioritize tourism dollars over urgent needs like education and housing. Others see it as necessary for economic recovery. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen emphasized the need to balance grief with economic necessity, stating that many in the community are ready to return to work to support their families.

Peter Fuleky, an economics professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, highlighted the importance of tourism to Maui, noting that while the island accounts for 12% of the state’s jobs, it makes up one-third of the visitor spending statewide. Visitor arrivals on Maui in August dipped more than 60% compared to July, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

The reopening of West Maui, home to over half of the island’s accommodations, is controversial. Some residents welcome respectful visitors who support local businesses and volunteer, while others prefer more time to heal. Prior to reopening, the state and county urged tourists to be respectful and avoid taking inappropriate photos.

In a phased reopening, all travel restrictions to Kaanapali, Napili, Honokowai, and Kapalua have been lifted, with hotels opening in groups. The Hawaii Tourism Authority encourages support for local businesses and workers reliant on tourism. Lahaina remains closed to the public “until further notice out of respect to the town’s residents.” Residents have begun to visit their properties in protective gear due to toxic ash.

Tourism recovery is expected to be slow, with an 80% recovery of pre-fire visitor levels not expected until the end of 2024, according to Carl Bonham, a professor of economics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Merriman’s Kapalua, a restaurant in West Maui, has been delivering free meals and providing free Wi-Fi to residents since the fires. Owner Peter Merriman supports the reopening, saying many employees want to return to work despite potential financial losses.

Jesse Imbach, who lost his Lahaina restaurants to the fire, supports a phased reopening but worries about the impact on resources and the presence of tourists interested in seeing the aftermath.

Officials have launched online resources for visitors to donate, volunteer, and plan their trips to Maui. Some residents, like Blake Ramelb, feel the reopening timeline is too rushed, impacting mental health and recovery.

The Maui City Council voted unanimously to delay the reopening, citing the need for a trauma-informed approach. Jan Jones, a lecturer in hospitality and tourism management at the University of New Haven, highlighted the challenge of balancing community protection with economic needs.

Small businesses, already hit hard by the pandemic, need tourists for survival. Jerry Agrusa, a hospitality and tourism management professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, advised tourists to support local businesses to aid recovery.

For more information on supporting Maui’s recovery, visit the Maui Strong website and the Hawaii Tourism Authority website. A list of local businesses to support can be found at Maui Nui First.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. Bailey Schulz is a general assignment money reporter based in Las Vegas. Contributing: The Associated Press.

source: usatoday.com